JPH0818762B2 - Sheet material conveying device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a sheet material that conveys / places a sheet material at a predetermined position such as an image forming portion in an image forming apparatus such as a copying machine or a laser beam printer. Concerning a carrier device.

(B) Conventional technology Conventionally, as a sheet material conveying device, a document is automatically conveyed to a predetermined position of a platen of a copying machine as an image forming apparatus.
There is a document conveying device that is placed and returns the document after the image formation to the original sheet material stacking table again.As a document conveying device of this type, there is a switchback type as shown in FIG. There are a circulation type document feeder (hereinafter referred to as a switchback RDF) and a closed loop type circulation document feeder (hereinafter referred to as a closed loop RDF) shown in FIG.

In the figure, the switchback RDF C is sequentially separated one by one from the lowermost one of the document stack P on the document tray 1, and is conveyed and stopped at a predetermined position on the platen 3 of the copying machine main body A. An image is read by the optical system in the copying machine. By switching back the sheet document P after image reading to the same side as the side on which the platen 3 is carried in,
The sheet document P is unloaded from the platen 3, and is transported by the large roller 49 rotating in the direction of the arrow and the roller 49a that abuts against it, and is transported to the uppermost part of the document stack P on the document tray 1. The sheet original P is unloaded and reloaded from the same side as the paper is fed, and this operation is sequentially repeated to form an image with a plurality of sheet originals P.

For this type of switchback RDF C , the original tray 1
The image-processed sheet document P is loaded from the same side as the front end of the document stack P to be stacked on the document stack P, and the trailing edge of the sheet document P reloaded on the document tray 1 by tilting is always on the paper feed port side. It falls by its own weight so that its end is aligned with the paper feed port side. Therefore, even if the sheet originals P having different lengths in the conveying direction are stacked on the original tray 1, the leading ends of the originals are always aligned.

Further, even for large size originals having different lengths in the conveying direction, the length of the original tray 1 is extended by the auxiliary tray so that the sheet path and the conveying operation are not hindered and the sheets are aligned with good consistency. The document P can be reloaded on the document tray 1.

Further, in this type of switchback RDF C , when the sheet original P on the platen 3 is replaced with the next sheet original P,
At the time when the leading edge of the document to be conveyed is surely gripped by the nearest conveying means on the downstream side of the platen 3, that is, the nipping portion between the large roller 49 and the roller 44a, the conveying direction of the wide belt 2 which is the conveying means on the platen 3 Then, the next original is carried in on the platen 3 and the original having undergone the image processing and the original having not been processed are passed by each other to exchange the original, whereby the original exchange time is shortened and the productivity of the image processing is improved.

On the other hand, the closed-loop RDF D shown in FIG.
The document stack P is separated one by one from the lowest document stack P, conveyed and stopped at a predetermined position of the platen 3 of the copying machine main body A , and after reading the image, the side opposite to the side where the platen 3 has been conveyed (Fig. The document stack P to the right side), and to the top of the document stack P on the document tray 1 from the side opposite to the side where the paper is fed.
The configuration is such that the reloading operation is sequentially repeated.

In the case of this type of closed-loop RDF D , when the image-processed sheet original P on the platen 3 is replaced with the next original before processing, the processed original transfer is started at the same time when the image processing is completed, and at the same time to the platen 3. Since the operation of carrying in the next original can be started, the original can be exchanged without loss time, and the exchange time of the sheet original P can be shortened as compared with the switchback RDF C described above.

(C) Problem to be Solved by the Invention However, in the above-described switchback RDF C , the processed document is surely held in the next conveying means on the downstream side from the completion of the document processing to the start of the loading operation of the next document. There is a certain amount of time to increase the productivity of image processing because there is a loss time until it is taken.

In closed loop RDF D , switchback RDF
There is no loss time compared to C. However, when the discharged originals are reloaded on the original stack P from the side opposite to the front end side of the originals on the original tray 1 and the sheet originals P having different lengths are mixed in the conveying direction, Since the exit is located behind the trailing edge of the largest document, there is a risk that the leading edge of the document to be ejected may collide with the trailing edge of the already loaded document to be fed, and a stable document Circulation operation is not possible. Therefore, this type of apparatus has a drawback that it can process only a bundle of documents P having the same length in the conveying direction.

Further, the document bundle P in which the leading end of the discharged document is already set
In order to prevent the rear end from colliding, the carry-out port must be arranged in the vicinity of the rear end of the document stack P set on the document tray 1. Therefore, the position of the carry-out port should be changed according to the size of the sheet document P. Need to change. Therefore, since the path length from the platen 3 to the carry-out port must be changed, there is a drawback that the structure becomes considerably complicated and the cost becomes high. Further, changing the length of the paper discharge path is considerably limited in structure, so that the width of the document size that can be accommodated is necessarily limited.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the discharge mode of the sheet material discharged from the image reading unit is optimized according to the length of the sheet material stacked on the sheet material stacking table or the mixed loading state of the sheet materials of different sizes. An object of the present invention is to provide a sheet material conveying device that can switch to a mode and efficiently perform sheet material processing.

(D) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and includes a sheet material stacking base for stacking sheet materials, an image reading unit for reading an image of the sheet materials, and the sheet material. A sheet feeding unit that sequentially separates the sheet material on the stacking table from the lowermost sheet one by one, and conveys the sheet material to the image reading unit; and unloading from the same side as the loading side of the image reading unit by the feeding unit. First sheet discharging means for discharging the formed sheet material from the front of the sheet material stacking table to the uppermost portion of the sheet material, and sheet material carried out from the side opposite to the loading side by the feeding means of the image reading section. A second discharging unit that discharges the sheet material from the rear of the sheet material stacking table to the uppermost sheet material, and conveys the sheet material on the sheet material stacking table to the image reading unit by the feeding unit, The sheet material after image reading is In a first transport mode in which the sheet material on the sheet material stacking platform is transported to the image reading section by the feeding means, and the sheet material after the image reading is performed in the second transport mode. The sheet material conveying device is characterized in that it is possible to select the second conveying mode in which the sheet is discharged through the discharging means.

Desirably, the sheet material loading platform is supported at least by a driving unit that moves up and down behind the sheet material loading platform, and raises the sheet material loading platform in the first transport mode and in the second transport mode. It is characterized by controlling to descend.

Furthermore, when the length of the sheet material in the transport direction is a preset predetermined size, the second transport mode is selected, and when the length is longer than the predetermined size, the first transport mode is selected. Is characterized by.

Further, it has an input means for inputting that the sheet materials having different lengths in the sheet conveying direction are loaded on the sheet material loading table at the same time, and when input by the input means, the first transport mode is set. Is selected.

(E) Action Based on the above configuration, the sheet material is fed from the loading platform,
The sheet material after the image reading is completed at the predetermined position of the image reading unit is the first transport mode in which the sheet material of the image reading unit is unloaded, or the side opposite to the side in which the sheet material is loaded. By the second transport mode that is carried out,
It is reloaded on the sheet material loading platform.

For example, in the case of a sheet material of a predetermined size that is frequently used and has a preset size (for example, A4 size), the second transport mode is selected, and the sheet material of the predetermined size on the sheet material loading table is fed by the feeding means. The sheet is carried into the image reading unit, and then is re-loaded from the opposite side on the sheet material loading table via the second discharging unit. Therefore, by circulating the sheet material of the predetermined size, there is no time loss for crossing (replacement) of the sheet material and the sheet material is efficiently processed.

Also, for example, in the case of a sheet material longer than a predetermined size,
The first conveyance mode is selected, the long-sized sheet material on the sheet material stacking table is carried into the image reading section from the feeding means, and is switched back to stack the sheet material through the first discharging means. It is reloaded on the table. Therefore, since the long-sized sheet material is discharged from the front side on the sheet material stacking base on the same side as the feeding side, the carry-out port of the first discharging means is sufficient at the same position regardless of the sheet size.

Further, for example, when it is input that sheet materials of different sizes are stacked, the sheet material carried out from the image reading section is carried out on the sheet material loading table in the first carrying mode, and the sheet material of a usable size is loaded. The width is expanded.

(F) Embodiments Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

In FIG. 1, an RDF (circulation type document feeder of the present invention) B which is a sheet material feeding device has a document tray 1 on the upper side, and a drive roller 31 and another turn roller 32 on the lower side thereof.
The wide belt 2 wound around is arranged. The wide belt 2 is in contact with the platen 3 of the main body A of the copying machine, conveys the sheet original P placed on the original tray 1 and places it on a predetermined position on the platen 3, or the platen 3. The sheet document P on the sheet 3 is carried out onto the document tray 1.

A pair of width direction regulating plates 33 are arranged on the document tray 1 so as to be slidable in the width direction of the sheet document P.
The width direction of the sheet document P placed on the document tray 1 is regulated to stabilize the sheet document P at the time of feeding and the document tray 1
Consistency is ensured when carrying out to the top. A jogging mechanism, which will be described later, is built in the width direction regulating plate 33, and the sheet originals P carried out on the original tray 1 are pressed one by one against the original reference guide 33 to further enhance the consistency. . Further, a document tray raising / lowering mechanism, which will be described later, allows swinging around a swing center 35 between a solid line position and a chain line position in the drawing.

Adjacent to the document tray 1, a half-moon-shaped sheet feeding roller 5 and a stopper 37 that moves up and down by a stopper solenoid 36 (see FIG. 6) are provided, and a sheet when set on the document tray 1 is provided. The original P is the protruding stopper
It is regulated by 37 so that it cannot move downstream.

Then, when the copy condition is input through the operation unit of the copying machine and the start key is pressed, the stopper 37 sinks and the path of the sheet original P is opened, and the sheet original P is fed by the paper feed roller 5. Advance to the downstream area. At this time, the partition member 40 connected to the partition member motor 39 (see FIG. 6) built in the document reference guide 33 on the document tray 1 rotates and rides on the uppermost sheet document P, and is not processed. Distinguish between manuscripts and processed manuscripts.

A transport roller 41 and a separation belt 42, which constitute a separation section, are disposed downstream of the stopper 37, and separate the sheet originals P that have been rotated in the directions of the arrows and advanced from the original tray 1 one by one. Then, it is transported further downstream.

A weight 43 is provided above the stopper 37 so that the number of sheet originals P on the original tray 1 is small and the sheet originals P are separated by the feeding force of the paper feed roller 5.
If you cannot advance to 2, wait solenoid 45 (6th
(See the drawing), the sheet document P is sandwiched between the sheet document P and the sheet feed roller 5 to improve the feeding force of the sheet feed roller 5. A document regulating plate 46 is provided in the vicinity of the separating belt 42 so that the sheet document P is placed in the separating portions 41, 42.
It is designed not to intrude a large number of sheets each time.

A document feeding path I is formed from the separating portions 41 and 42 to the platen 3, and the document feeding path I is bent and connected to the conveyance path on the platen 3, and the sheet document P is placed on the platen 3. Induce. In addition, entrance sensors 47a and 47b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the presence or absence of the sheet document P placed on the document tray 1, are arranged near the feeding roller 5.

A large roller 49 is arranged on the left side of the main body of the RDF B , and a first document discharge path II is formed which extends around the outer periphery of the large roller 49 from the platen 3 and extends above the document tray 1. ing. Further, an original reversing path IV for inverting the front and back of a double-sided original is formed by branching from above the large roller 49 of the first original ejection path II.
The downstream part of the document merges with the document feeding path I. A first paper discharge roller 50 is provided on the downstream side of the first document discharge path II, and the sheet document P conveyed through the first document discharge path II is placed on the document tray 1. The document stack P is discharged to the top.

The wide belt 2 arranged above the platen 3 is
The sheet document P is conveyed and placed at a predetermined position on the platen 3, and is read out from the platen 3 after the image is read. A feeding roller 51 is provided at the confluence of the document feeding path I and the document reversing path IV. The feeding roller 51 forms a loop on the arrived sheet document P to allow the sheet document P to move. Prevents skewing. In the vicinity of the upstream side of the feeding roller 51, sheet feeding sensors 52a and 52b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the front end and the rear end of the sheet document P, are arranged, and the document feeding path I and the document reversal It is possible to detect the sheet document P that has passed any of the conveyance paths of the path IV.

The length of the sheet document P fed from the document tray 1 is detected by the sheet material length detecting means 10 (see FIG. 6), and the sheet material length detecting means 10 detects the sheet of the sheet feeding sensor 52. The length of the sheet document P is detected by detecting the trailing edge of the document P and counting the size check counter accordingly.

Below the large roller 49 in the first original discharge path II, reversal sensors 53a and 53b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the sheet original P carried out from the platen 3, are arranged. In the first document discharge path II between the 49 and the first paper feed roller 50, the sheet document P passing through the first document discharge path II and discharged onto the document tray 1 passes. First paper discharge sensors 55a and 55b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the sheet, are provided.

A reversing flapper 56 for switching the path is disposed in a portion branched from the first document discharge path II to the document reversing path IV, and a reversing flapper solenoid 57 (see FIG. 6).
By switching ON / OFF, the path is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

Further, on the right side of the main body of the RDF B , there is formed a second document discharge path III for discharging the sheet document P after the image reading on the platen 3 is carried out to the side opposite to the carrying-in direction to the platen 3. There is.

A first transport roller 59 and a second transport roller 60 for transporting the sheet document P in the second document discharge path III are arranged in the second document discharge path III, respectively. A second paper feed roller 61 is disposed on the downstream side of the original document discharge path III, and the sheet document P conveyed through the second original document discharge path III is used as a document on the document tray 1. The bundle P is carried to the top.

The original output tray 62 is provided above the second original output path III.
Is provided, and the second document discharge path III is branched from the vicinity of the downstream of the first transport roller 59 to form a third document discharge path V extending to the document discharge tray 62. A discharge flapper 63 for switching the conveyance path is provided at a branch portion between the second document discharge path III and the third document discharge path V, and a discharge flapper solenoid 65 (sixth). ON)
・ By turning OFF, the path is switched by swinging between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

A third paper discharge roller is provided downstream of the third document discharge path V.
66 is provided, and the sheet document P conveyed through the third document discharge path V is carried out onto the document discharge tray 62.
In the second document discharge path III, the sheet document P in the discharge path
The second paper discharge sensors 67a and 67b, which are transmissive optical sensors for detecting the front end and the rear end of the document P, are provided between the platen 3 and the first transport roller 59, and the second document discharge path III. Between the branch portion with the third document discharge path V and the second transport roller 60, the third
Discharge sensors 69a and 69b are provided.

The RDF B body right side, they open the document introduction port 70 for receiving the sheet original P from the body outside the RDF B body, first from the document inlet port 70 to the second document discharge path III 1
A document carry-in path VI is formed near the upstream side of the carry roller 59.

Inside the document discharge tray 62, an auxiliary tray 72 that is swingable around a rotation center shaft 71 at the leading end is disposed, and is linked with a vertical swinging operation of the document tray 1 which will be described later, and is shown by a solid line in the figure. It oscillates between the position and the chain line position.

In other words, when the document tray 1 is in the solid line position in the figure,
When the auxiliary tray 72 is raised to the solid line position in the drawing to improve the stackability of the large-sized sheet originals P and the original tray 1 is at the chain line position in the drawing, the sheet originals P are discharged to the original discharge tray 62. The auxiliary tray 72 is stored at the position indicated by the chain line in the figure so that it can be loaded.

Next, the drive system of the RDF B of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 2 is a drive system diagram showing motors and solenoids for driving the conveying rollers and flappers.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 81 indicates a separation motor,
The separation motor 81 drives the conveyance roller 41 and the separation belt 42, which are separation units, in the direction of the arrow in the figure. The belt motor 82 is
The feeding roller 51 and the driving roller 31 for driving the wide belt 2 are driven via the feeding roller clutch 83, and further, the rotation of the driving roller 31 is transmitted to the turn roller 32 by the wide belt 2, and further, The first transport roller 59 is driven. A brake 85 is provided on the motor shaft of the belt motor 82 to ensure the position of the wide belt 2 when stopped.

The separation motor 81 is driven to drive the feeding roller 51 via the separation clutch 86. The reversing motor 87 is a large roller 49
And the first discharge roller 50. Code 89
Indicates a paper discharge motor, and this paper discharge motor 89 drives the second transport roller 60 and the third paper discharge roller 66, respectively.

A clock disk 81a, 82a, 87a, 89a having a plurality of slits is provided on the shaft of each motor, and a clock sensor 81b that generates a pulse by recognizing each slit with a transmissive optical sensor. , 82b, 87b, 89b, etc. are provided. By clock-counting the rotation of each motor with the clock sensors 81b 82b, 87b, 89b, the amount of rotation of each conveying roller can be measured, and the amount of movement of the sheet document P can be detected.

Reference numeral 90 indicates a reversing flapper solenoid 57 for swinging the reversing flapper 56. When the reversing flapper 56 is in the OFF position, the reversing flapper 56 is in the solid line position in the figure, and the sheet document P that has passed through the first document discharge path II. Is conveyed to the document tray 1, and when turned on, the sheet document P passing through the first document discharge path II is guided to the document inversion path IV.

Reference numeral 91 denotes a paper discharge flapper solenoid for swinging the paper discharge flapper 63, which is in the solid line position in the drawing when it is OFF, and the sheet document P that has passed through the second document discharge path III is stored in the document tray. When it is turned on, the sheet document P passing through the second document discharge path III is guided to the third document discharge path V and discharged to the document discharge tray 62.

The stopper solenoid 36 drives the stopper 37 to move up and down to prevent it from moving to the downstream side of the document stack P on the document tray 1 at the position shown in the figure when OFF, and when the switch 37 is ON, the stopper 37 sinks. The path of the sheet document P is released.

Reference numeral 93 indicates a weight solenoid, which is a weight.
43 is rocked up and down, and is in the position shown in the figure when OFF, and when ON, the weight 43 is lowered to press the sheet document P onto the sheet feed roller 5, whereby the sheet feed roller 5 is pressed. The carrying power is improved.

 Next, the swing operation of the document tray 1 will be described.

Reference numeral 95 indicates a tray swing motor, and the motor output shaft is connected to the tray swing arm 96. A tray swinging roller 96 is engaged with the lower surface of the document tray 1. The tray swinging roller 96 is provided at the tip of the tray swinging arm 97,
The other side of the tray swing arm 97 is fixed to the tray swing arm shaft 99, and the tray swing arm shaft 99 rotates to swing the tray swing arm 97 between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure. Then, the document tray 1 is swung around the swing center 35 between the solid line position and the chain line position in the figure.

Reference numeral 105 denotes an upper limit switch 105 for detecting that the document tray 1 has reached the upper position (solid line position).
Reference numeral 106 denotes a lower limit switch 106 for detecting that the document tray 1 has reached the lower position (chain line position), and the tray swing motor 95 is controlled in rotation by the detection of the upper and lower limit switches 105, 106. .

Next, the interlocking mechanism of the document tray 1 and the auxiliary tray 72 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 shows a document tray 1
3 shows a detailed view of the interlocking mechanism of the auxiliary tray 72 and the auxiliary tray 72.

The rotation center shaft 71 of the auxiliary tray 72 is fixed to the document discharge tray 62. An auxiliary tray link 109 is engaged with an auxiliary tray link pin 107 on the opposite side of the rotation center shaft 71 of the auxiliary tray 72. Also, the swing center 3 of the document tray 1
The tray link 111 is engaged by the tray link 110 on the side opposite to the position 5. Reference numeral 112 is fixed to the RDF B main body and engages with the swing lever 103 to serve as the swing center of the swing lever 113.

A tray engaging pin 115 that engages with the tray link 110 is provided at one end of the swing center 112, and an auxiliary tray engaging pin 116 that engages with the auxiliary tray link 109 is provided at the other end.

With the above configuration, when the document tray 1 swings upward (solid line position in the drawing), the auxiliary tray 72 also swings upward (solid line position in the drawing) by each link, and the document tray 1 moves downward (chain line in the drawing). When it is swung to the position), the auxiliary tray 72 is also swung downward (the position indicated by the chain line in the figure) by each link.

Therefore, when a large-size document is stacked on the document tray 1, the document tray 1 swings upward and the auxiliary tray 72 also swings upward, so that the trailing end of the large-size document does not hang down. The sheet originals P can be stacked in a state where stable feeding is possible. For small-sized originals, the original tray 1 swings downward and the auxiliary tray 72
Is also swung downward to be accommodated in the original discharge tray 62, so that when the sheet original P passing through the third original discharge path V is conveyed to the original discharge tray 62, the auxiliary tray 72 is used.
By placing the document on the upper surface of the document, the document can be placed in the document discharge tray 62 smoothly.

Next, the partition member of the document tray 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing details of the configuration of the partition member.

In FIG. 4, on the output shaft 117 of the partition member motor 39, a partition flag 119 is freely supported in the rotational direction.
A partition lever 120, which is fixed to the output shaft 117 and drives the partition flag 119 to rotate, is coaxially arranged. As shown in the figure, the partition flag 119 has a part of its circumference cut, and the partition member 7 made of a flexible material such as a polyester film or a leaf spring is fixed on the circumference. The output shaft 117 integrally with the partition flag 119.
Rotate over.

Further, since the center of gravity of the partition flag 119 is on the partition member 7 side, when the partition lever 120 is not driven, the partition flag 119 is stopped by its own weight when the partition member 7 comes to a position directly below. Reference numeral 121 denotes a partition sensor, which detects the partition flag 119 to determine the position of the partition member 7.

In FIG. 4A, when the sheet originals P are fully loaded on the original tray 1, the distance between the end surface of the sheet originals P and the mounting portion of the partitioning member 7 is short and the partitioning member 7 is strong. Is not deformed and is in a flat state along the sheet document P as shown in the figure.

In FIG. 4 (b), when the number of sheet originals P stacked on the original tray 1 is small, a conventional partition member having rigidity has the tip of the member in contact with the surface of the sheet original P. At this time, the partition member floats up at the end portion of the document due to a gap between the partition member and the surface of the document. When the sheet original P was reloaded above the partition member, the leading edge of the original document collided with the partition member and could not be stably loaded on the original tray 1. However, as shown in FIG. 4 (b). In addition, since the partition member 7 is flexible, the partition member 7 fits into the surface of the document stack P by the driving force of the partition lever 120, and the partition member 7 is flat along the document surface as in the case of full loading. It becomes a state.

Therefore, the partition member 7 is always in close contact with the surface of the original stack P regardless of whether the number of the sheet originals P on the original tray 1 is large or small.
Even if the sheet original P is reloaded on the sheet original, the sheet original P does not collide with the partition member 7, so that the sheet original P can be stably loaded without any trouble in carrying out the sheet original P.

Next, the jogging mechanism will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a top view of the document tray 1.

In the figure, reference numeral 122 is a jogging guide which forms a part of the width direction restriction plate 33a, and is supported by the width direction restriction plate 33a so as to be retractable. Link pins 126 and 127 that engage with one side of the jogging links 123 and 125 at two locations are provided on the side opposite to the document surface side of the jogging guide 122. The other ends of the jogging links 123 and 125 are engaged with the jogging lever 129 and lever pins 130 and 131.

Further, the jogging lever 129 is engaged with the jogging solenoid 132. Therefore, when the jogging solenoid 132 is turned on, the jogging guide 122 operates so as to press the sheet document P against the document reference guide 33, and when the jogging solenoid 132 is turned off, the return spring is returned.
By the 133, the jogging guide 122 operates so as to be separated from the end surface of the document.

That is, every time the sheet document P is reloaded on the document tray 1, the jogging solenoid 132 is turned ON / O.
By repeating the FF, the sheet document P is reliably pressed against the document reference guide 33, and the consistency of the sheet document P on the document tray 1 is improved.

FIG. 9 shows a schematic diagram of the paper feeding process of the closed loop RDF B. When the image reading of the original is completed at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 9 (a), the wide belt 2 is rotated counterclockwise in the figure. 9B, the original is conveyed in the direction opposite to the loading side as shown in FIG. 9B, and the next original is placed at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 9B. It has become.

FIG. 11 shows another sheet material conveying device F provided outside the sheet material conveying device B and connected to the sheet material conveying device B. The sheet original P conveyed from the sheet material conveying device F is passed through the original document introducing path VI. It can be carried into the second document discharge path III and conveyed to the document tray 1.

Therefore, after the image processed sheet original P is transferred to the second original discharge tray 62, the sheet original P from the external sheet material conveying device F is transferred onto the first original tray 1 to perform the image processing operation. By repeating the restarting operation, the image processing of the large-capacity sheet document P becomes possible.

Further, during the image processing of the previous user, if the sheet document P to be image-processed by the next user is set in advance in the external sheet material conveying device F as shown in FIG. It is not necessary to wait on the spot until the end of the user's processing, and the image processing apparatus can also operate continuously, so that efficient work can be performed and the sheet material conveying apparatus can be effectively operated. You can

RDF control device (100) FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the circuit configuration of the control device (100) of the circulating type automatic document feeder of the present embodiment. The control circuit 100 is a one-chip containing ROM, RAM and the like. The microcomputer (CPU) 101 is mainly configured, and signals of various sensors are input to the input ports I1 to I13 of the microcomputer 101.

Further, each load is connected to the output ports O1 to O15 of the microcomputer 101 via the drivers D1 to D15, and control data is exchanged with the copying machine main body via the communication IC 102. . The data transmitted from the RDF to the main body of the copying machine is a paper feed completion signal indicating completion of feeding the original onto the platen glass.

A control procedure (control program) as shown in FIG. 7 is stored in advance in the ROM, and each input / output is controlled according to the control procedure.

(Main Flow) Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 and the drawings shown in FIGS.

In particular, FIG. 7 is a main flow chart in the present embodiment, which is used to explain various operations described below.

(1-sided to 1-sided copy, originals A4, 5 sheets, no mixed specification) In step 1 (represented by S), the original tray 1 is processed to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. In the initial state, the tray is always raised so that the operator can easily set it.

Then, the entrance sensor 4 checks whether the original is set in step 2.
The operation is started by detecting at 7 and turning on the copy key on the operation unit of the main body of the copying machine (not shown).

Next, in step 4, the separation process described below is performed in order to feed the uppermost one of the document bundle.

Next, the document separated in step 5 is fed to the platen 3 by a paper feeding process described later.

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine body starts the copying operation (step 6) and proceeds to step 7 to determine whether the partition lever has fallen. If the determination is affirmative, the original is a single original. Wait for the copy of the main body of the copier to finish (step
9) Start the switchback paper ejection process described later (step1
0), and the document conveyance control ends.

If a negative determination is made in step 7, the conveyance control is performed according to the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process in step 5 and the result of the determination as to whether or not the mixed document specification is performed on the operation unit of the copying machine body. Determine the flow of (step 8). In the case of the present embodiment, since the document size is A4 and the document mixed specification is not designated, step 11 performs the tray DOWN process of lowering the document tray 1 to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. Prepare to improve the consistency of the discharged originals.

Then, the next document separation process is performed (step 4 '), and after the pre-feeding process described later (step 13), the copying machine body waits for copying (step 9'), and the switchback circulation flag is set in step 14. It is determined whether or not is set. In the case of the present embodiment, the switchback circulation flag is not set because the negative determination is made in step 8, and the process proceeds to step 15 to start the closed loop sheet discharge process described later (step 15) to feed the next document. Perform processing (step
Five').

When the paper feeding process is completed, the main body of the copying machine starts the copying operation (step 6 ′), and it is judged whether or not the partition lever is dropped during the copying (step 8 ′).
Return to p4 'to continue processing.

If an affirmative decision is made in step 7 ′, this original is the final original, and therefore it is judged whether or not the switchback paper ejection flag is set after waiting for the end of copying by the copying machine body (step 9 ″). Is performed (step 14 ′), and in the present embodiment, since it is a negative determination as described above, step 15 ′
After activating the closed-loop paper ejection processing by proceeding to step 1, it waits until the paper ejection processing of all originals is completed (step 16).

Next, it is determined whether or not the circulation is the final circulation (step 17). If the circulation is the final circulation, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The original state is returned to (step 1 '), and the document conveyance control is ended. If negative determination is made in step 17, it is determined whether the number of originals is 4 sheets or less (step 18). If positive determination is made, the switchback circulation flag is set (step 1
9), return to the separation process of step4. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is for optimal control depending on the number of documents.

(Single-sided to single-sided copy, original A3, 5 sheets, mixed specification not specified, multiple circulation mode) In step 1, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 3, and the original is not set. The tray is always raised so that the operator can easily set it.

Then, the entrance sensor 4 checks whether the original is set in step 2.
The operation is started by detecting at 7 and turning on the copy key in the operation unit of the copying machine main body A (not shown).

Next, in step 4, the separation process described below is performed in order to feed the uppermost one of the document bundle.

Next, the document separated in step 5 is fed to the platen 3 by a paper feeding process described later. When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine main body A starts the copying operation (step 6), proceeds to step 7, and determines whether the partition lever 120 has dropped,
If the determination is affirmative, since the original is a single original, the completion of copying by the copying machine main body A is waited for (step 9), the switchback paper discharge process described later is activated, and the original conveyance control is ended.

If the result of step 7 is negative, the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process of step 5 and the copier body
The flow of conveyance control is determined according to the result of the determination as to whether or not the mixed document specification has been performed on the operation unit A (step 8). In the case of the present embodiment, since the document size is A3 and the document mixed specification is not designated, the process proceeds to step 12 and the switchback circulation flag is set.

Then, the next document separation process is performed (step 4 '), the pre-feeding process described later is further performed (step 13), and after the copying of the copying machine main body A is completed (step 9'), switchback circulation is performed in step 14. It is determined whether or not the flag is set. In the case of the present embodiment, since a positive determination is made in step 8, the switchback circulation flag is set, and the switchback paper discharge process described later is activated (step 15) to perform the paper feed process of the next document (step 15). step5 ′).
When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine body starts the copying operation (step 6 ′), and it is judged whether the partition lever is dropped during the copying (step 7 ′).
Return to 4'and continue processing.

If an affirmative decision is made in step 7 ′, this original is the final original, and therefore it is judged whether or not the switchback paper ejection flag is set after waiting for the end of copying by the copying machine body (step 9 ″). Is performed (step 14 ′), and in the present embodiment, since a positive determination is made as described above, step 10 ″
After activating the switchback paper ejection processing by proceeding to step 1, it waits until the paper ejection processing of all originals is completed (step 16).

Next, it is determined whether or not the circulation is the final circulation (step 17). If the circulation is the final circulation, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The original state is returned to (step 1 '), and the document conveyance control is ended. If negative determination is made in step 17, it is determined whether the number of originals is 4 sheets or less (step 18). If positive determination is made, the switchback circulation flag is set (step 1
9), return to the separation process of step4. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is for optimal control depending on the number of documents.

(Single-sided to single-sided copy, originals A4, 5 sheets, mixed loading specified, multiple circulation mode) In step 1, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position indicated by the solid line in Fig. 3, and the original is not set. The tray is always raised so that the operator can easily set it.

Then, the entrance sensor 4 checks whether the original is set in step 2.
The operation is started by detecting at 7 and turning on the copy key, which is the operation unit of the main body of the copying machine (not shown).

Next, in step 4, the separation process described below is performed in order to feed the uppermost one of the document bundle.

Next, the document separated in step 5 is fed to the platen 3 by a paper feeding process described later.

When the paper feeding process is completed, the copying machine main body starts the copying operation (step 6) and proceeds to step 7 to determine whether or not the partition lever 120 has fallen. If the determination is affirmative, the document is one document. Therefore, wait for the copy of the copier body to finish (step
9) Then, the switchback sheet discharge process, which will be described later, is activated to end the document conveyance control.

If the result of step 7 is negative, the result of the document size detection process performed during the paper feeding process of step 5 and the copier body
The flow of conveyance control is determined according to the result of the determination as to whether or not the mixed document specification has been performed on the operation unit A (step 8). In the case of the present embodiment, since the document size is A4 and the document mixed specification is specified, the process proceeds to step 12 and the switchback circulation flag is set.

Then, the next document separation process is performed (step 4 '), the pre-feeding process described later is further performed (step 13), and after the copying of the copying machine body A is completed (step 9'), the switchback circulation is performed in step 14. It is determined whether or not the flag is set. In the case of the present embodiment, since a positive determination is made in step 8, the switchback circulation flag is set, and the switchback paper discharge process described later is activated (step 15) to perform the paper feed process of the next document (step 15). step5 ′).

When the paper feeding process is completed, the main body of the copying machine starts the copying operation (step 6 ′), and it is judged whether the partition lever 120 is dropped during the copying (step 7 ′).
Return to tep4 ′ to continue processing.

If an affirmative decision is made in step 7 ′, this original is the final original, and therefore it is judged whether or not the switchback paper ejection flag is set after waiting for the end of copying by the copying machine body (step 9 ″). Is performed (step 14 ′), and in the present embodiment, since a positive determination is made as described above, step 10 ″
After activating the switchback paper ejection processing by proceeding to step 1, it waits until the paper ejection processing of all originals is completed (step 16).

Next, it is determined whether or not the circulation is the final circulation (step 17). If the circulation is the final circulation, tray UP processing is performed to raise the original tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. The original state is returned to (step 1 '), and the document conveyance control is ended. If negative determination is made in step 17, it is determined whether the number of originals is 4 sheets or less (step 18). If positive determination is made, the switchback circulation flag is set (step 1
9), return to the separation process of step4. If the determination is negative, the process directly returns to step 4. This is for optimal control depending on the number of documents.

(Separation Processing) The separation processing of step 4 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described based on FIG. 8 (a).

In the separation process (step 4), if the first document is the first document (step 4-11), the partition member mode 39 is turned on to operate the partition member 40 for detecting the partition of the document stack P, and the document stack P is set. At the same time when the separation motor 81 is turned on to perform the judgment (step 4-3), a jogging process described later is started to perform the widthwise alignment of the document stack P (st.
ep4-5).

Then, when the jogging process is completed (step4−
7) Then, the stopper solenoid 36 is turned on to lower the paper feed stopper 7 so as to separate only the lowest document of the document stack P (step 4-9), and the process advances through the sheet path I to the registration sensor 52. Detects the leading edge of the document (step4
-11), start the speed control to drive the separation motor 81 at a low speed, start the separation loop timer (step 4-13), and turn off the separation motor 81 after the end of this set time (step 4-15). By doing so (step 4-17), the original can be abutted against the nip portion of the feeding roller pair 51 at a low speed, so that it is possible to prevent damage to the leading edge of the original and reduce the collision noise, and a predetermined amount of loop is formed. Stop in the state where it was stopped. As a result, even if skewing occurs at the time of separation, it has a function of correcting this.

(Paper Feeding Process) The paper feeding process of step 5 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described based on FIG. 8 (b).

In the paper feeding process (step 5), the feed roller pair 18 and the wide belt 2 are driven, and the belt motor 82 is turned on in the forward direction so that the document is conveyed from the sheet path I to the sheet path II (step 5-1). At the same time, a size check counter that counts according to the clock signal input from the belt clock interrupter is started (step 5-2), and at the same time the measurement of the document size is started, the resist processing described later is started (step 5-3).

Then, at the same time when the document is conveyed and its leading edge passes through the paper feed sensor 52 (step 5-4), the size check counter is stopped (step 5-5), and based on the data, it is shown in FIG. 8 (j). The size of the original is determined by the size check subroutine (step 5-6). Further, the paper feeding process is completed when the above-mentioned started resist process is completed (step 5-7).

(Pre-Feeding Process) The pre-feeding process of step 13 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described based on FIG. 8 (c).

First, turn on the separation clutch 86 (step 13-1),
By connecting the separation unit and the registration roller, the separation roller 42, the separation conveyance belt 41, and the conveyance roller pair 51 can be operated, and the separation motor
When 81 is turned on, the pre-feed timer is started at the same time (step
13-2, 13-3). This pre-feed timer is driven by the separation motor 81 by the amount of the timer, so that the pre-feed timer shown in FIG.
As shown in, the original A is fed from the nip portion of the conveyance roller 51.
It is set to convey from the reference position of 30 mm exposure. When the pre-feed timer ends (step 13-5), the separation motor 81 is immediately turned off (step 13-6), and the pre-feed process ends (step 13-7).

(Switchback Paper Ejection Process) The switchback paper ejection process of step 10 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

In the switchback paper ejection process (step 10), the belt motor 82 is turned on in reverse to eject the original on the platen 3 (step 10-1), and when the leading edge of the original is detected by the first paper ejection sensor 55 (step 10). -2), the reversing motor 87 is turned on (step 10-3).

Therefore, when the document is conveyed from the sheet path III to the sheet path IV and the trailing edge of the document is detected by the first paper ejection sensor 55 (step 10-4), the speed control of the reversing motor 87 is started for paper ejection alignment. Transport counter FC1 that controls timing
Is started (step 10-5), and after the conveyance counter FC1 is finished, the counter FC2 for determining the distance for discharging the document onto the document tray 1 is started while controlling the speed thereafter (step 10-7). Speed control is continued until the counter FC2 is finished (step10-8), and when it is finished (step10-8)
10-9), the reversing motor 87 is turned off (step 10-10), and an interval is taken until the document falls on the document tray 1.

Start the discharge drop timer ORG-DWN-TM (step 10-1
1) After completion (steps 10-12), turn on the jogging solenoid 132 so as to push out the jogging guide 122 to align the discharged originals, and at the same time start a timer EJCT-JOG-TM that determines the pressing time (step 10-12). -1
5) After completion (step10-17), jogging solenoid 132
Is turned off (step 10-19), and the switchback paper discharge process is completed.

(Closed Loop Paper Discharge Processing) The closed loop paper discharge processing of step 15 in the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 will be described with reference to FIG.

The state of the document P at the time when the closed-loop sheet discharging process is activated is as shown in FIG. 10 (a). Here, it waits for the second paper discharge sensor 67 to detect the leading edge of the original on the page (step 15-1). However, at this time, the full-face belt 2 is not driven during the closed-loop sheet discharging process.

Therefore, in step 4 to step 5 ′ of FIG. 7, the separation of the next original page, the pre-feeding, and the paper feeding process are performed, and the relationship between the originals is
It becomes like Fig. 10 (b). Further, the page original also starts the closed-loop paper discharge process. Further, after the page original is separated and the pre-paper feeding process is performed, the second paper ejection sensor 67 detects the leading edge of the page original as shown in FIG. 10C during the paper feeding process. Then, it waits for the third paper discharge sensor 69 to detect the leading edge of the original on the page (step 15-3). Further, when the processing for feeding the page originals is completed, the originals are arranged as shown in FIG.

Further, as shown in FIG. 10 (e), the third paper ejection sensor 30 detects the leading edge of the original of the page during the paper feeding process after separating the originals of the page and the pre-feeding process, and at the same time, the paper is ejected. The motor 89 is driven (step 15-5), the page original is started to be pulled out by the second conveying roller 60, and it is judged whether or not the original is the first discharged original (step 15-6). If so, the partition member motor 39 is turned on to prevent the discharged document from slipping into the partition member (step 15-6), and the rear end of the document waits for detection of the third sheet discharge sensor 69 ( step
15-7) After that, if the partition member motor 39 is on, the motor is stopped (step 15-8).

After this, as shown in FIG. 10 (f), even if the wide belt 2 is stopped after the feeding process of the page original is completed, the page original is
The paper is continuously ejected in the direction of the arrow by the conveyance roller 60, and at the same time the third paper ejection sensor 69 detects the trailing edge of the original on the page,
The closed loop paper discharge counter 1 corresponding to the distance from the third paper discharge sensor 69 to 10 mm before the nip center of the third conveying roller 61 is started (step 15-9), and the closed loop paper discharge counter 1 ends. Until that time, the discharge speed is reduced (step 15-11), and when the closed loop paper discharge counter 1 is finished (step 15-13), the driving of the paper discharge motor 89 is stopped (step 15-15) and the leading edge of the document is A closed-loop discharge fall timer corresponding to the time required to fall from the position indicated by the solid line to the position indicated by the broken line in FIG. 10 (g) is started (steps 15-17).

When the closed loop paper discharge drop timer expires (step 15-
19), and drives the paper discharge motor 89 (step15-2
1) Then, the closed loop paper discharge counter 2 corresponding to the distance at which the document is completely separated from the third conveyance roller 61 is started (step 15
-23), waiting for the end of the closed loop paper discharge counter 2 to stop driving the paper discharge motor 89 (step 15-25) (step 15-2).
7) After the document is ejected to the position shown in Fig. 10 (h), the closed-loop ejection drop timer LOOP-DWN-TM is started which takes an interval until the document falls on the document tray 1 (step 15).
-29), after completion (steps 15-31), turn on the jogging solenoid 132 to push out the jogging guide 122 to align the discharged originals (steps 15-33) and at the same time, determine the time of pressing LOOP-JOG -TM is started (steps 15-35), after completion (steps 15-37), the jogging solenoid 132 is turned off (steps 25-39), and the closed loop paper discharge process is completed. At this time, the feed amount by the closed loop paper discharge counter and the feed amount by the second transport roller 60 and the third transport roller 61 surely match.

(Tray UP Processing) The tray UP processing by the RDF will be described with reference to FIG.

In order to raise the document tray 1 to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 3, the tray swing motor 95 is driven until the upper limit SW 105 is turned on. When the upper limit SW 105 is turned on, the drive of the tray swing motor 95 is stopped.

(Tray UDOWN Processing) FIG. 8 (g) illustrates the tray DOWN processing by the RDF.
Based on.

In order to lower the document tray 1 to the position shown by the broken line in FIG. 3, the tray swing motor 95 is driven until the lower limit switch 109 is turned on, and when the lower limit switch 109 is turned on, the drive of the tray swing motor 95 is stopped.

(Jogging Process) The flow of the jogging process will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Jogging process (SUB1)
Then, JOG-CN that determines the number of times to jog at the beginning
When the jog solenoid 132 for pushing out the jog guide 122 of the width regulating member is turned on, the timer JOG-TM that can be set arbitrarily is started (SUB1-3), and when the timer JOG-TM finishes the set time. (SUB1-5), the jogging solenoid 132 is turned off to return the jogging guide 122 to the initial state, and the timer JOG-TM is started in the same manner as above (SUB1-7). The number of times of execution is increased (SUB1-9), the process returns to SUB1-3 and is repeated until the round trip of the jogging guide 65 is completed three times (SUB1-11). As a result, the document stack P is aligned in the width direction, and skewing, lateral registration, etc. can be prevented.

(Registration Processing) The registration processing will be described based on FIG. 8 (i).

First, when the trailing edge of the original is detected by the paper feed sensor 52 (SUB2-1), the registration counter RGCN for stopping the original at a predetermined position on the platen 3 is started (SU
B2-3). The registration counter RGCN is counted by a belt lock interrupter, and the document feed amount and the count value are surely matched.

Then, the low speed control of the belt motor 82 is started in order to accurately stop at the stop position on the platen glass 3, the control is continued until the registration counter RGCN is completed (SUB2-4), and at the time of completion, the belt motor 82 is controlled. The output of 82 is turned off (SUB2-5), and the electromagnetic brake is turned on to stop the document at a predetermined position (SUB2-6).

(Size Check Processing) The size check subroutine will be described with reference to FIG.

In this size check subroutine, the true document size is corrected by adding the distance from the nip position of the feed roller 51 to the feed sensor 52 to the size check counter data as the document size determination means. At this time, the document is being conveyed by the feed roller 51 and the wide belt 2, and the feed amount and the count value by the belt clock interrupter surely match. After that, the size of B5, A4, A4R, B4, A3, etc. is determined based on the corrected size data.

(G) Effect of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the sheet material carried out from the image reading unit can be carried out not only in the first carrying mode but also in the second carrying mode. ,
For example, it becomes possible to carry out the sheet material to the sheet material loading table in the first or second transport mode according to the size of the sheet material to be carried out or the mixed loading state of different sizes. It is possible to obtain high productivity by eliminating time loss, and it is possible to reduce restrictions on usable sheet material size.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a sheet material conveying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a system diagram showing the same drive system, and FIG. 3 is a side view showing a swing mechanism of a document tray and an auxiliary tray. ,
FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of the partition member, FIG. 5 is a plan view of the jogging mechanism, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the circuit configuration of the RDF control device, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a flow chart relating to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a sheet feeding operation diagram, FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional side view of a sheet material conveying device to which an external sheet material conveying device is connected, and FIGS. 12 and 13 are vertical sectional views showing an example of a conventional sheet material conveying device. It is a side view. 1 ... Original tray (sheet material stacking table), 2 ... Wide belt, P ... Sheet original (sheet material), 3 ... Platen (image reading unit), 10 ... Sheet material length detection means, 52 ... …
Paper feed sensor, I, 5,41,42 ... Feeding means (document feeding path, paper feed roller, conveyance roller, separation belt), II, 49 ... First
Discharging means (first document discharging path, large roller), III ...
Second discharge means (second document discharge path), 95, 97 ... Driving means (tray swing motor, arm).

Front page continued (72) Inventor Takeshi Honjo 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Yuji Morishige 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (72) Inventor Akemi Yoshida 3-30-2 Shimomaruko, Ota-ku, Tokyo Canon Inc. (56) Reference JP-A-59-163250 (JP, A)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A sheet material stacking table for stacking sheet materials, an image reading unit for reading an image of the sheet materials, and a sheet material on the sheet material stacking table, which are sequentially separated one by one from the lowermost one. And a sheet feeding means for conveying the sheet material to the image reading section, and a sheet material carried out from the same side as the loading side of the image reading section by the feeding section, to the top of the sheet material stack from the front of the sheet material stacking table. And a second discharging means for discharging the sheet material carried out from the side opposite to the carrying-in side by the feeding means of the image reading section from the rear of the sheet material stacking table to the uppermost sheet material. Means for transporting the sheet material on the sheet material stacking table to the image reading section by the feeding means, and discharging the sheet material after the image reading via the first discharging means. 1 transport mode and the sheet material stacking A second transport mode in which the upper sheet material is transported to the image reading section by the feeding means, and the sheet material after the image reading is discharged through the second discharging means; A sheet material conveying device characterized by: 2. The sheet material stacking table is supported by at least a driving means for moving up and down behind the sheet material stacking table, and the sheet material stacking table is raised in the first carrying mode and the second carrying mode. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1, wherein the sheet material conveying device is controlled so as to descend. 3. The second transport mode is selected when the length of the sheet material in the transport direction is a preset predetermined size, and the first transport mode is selected when the length is longer than the predetermined size. The sheet material conveying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. An input means for inputting that the sheet materials having different lengths in the sheet conveying direction are loaded on the sheet material loading table at the same time, and when input by the input means,
The sheet material conveying apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first conveying mode is selected.